Top 7 Live Streaming Video Trends for 2017

So far, 2017 has been a busy year for social live video platforms, broadcasters, publishers, and users alike. We’ve seen a slew of significant upgrades to top-tier platforms including Periscope by Twitter, Instagram Live, and Facebook Live.

Now that the year is coming to a dramatic close, we can take stock of sizzling streaming video trends for 2017.

#1. There was increased adoption across the spectrum

Adoption of live social video exploded in 2017. From independent publishers to giant media house, everyone is going live on social media. And the 2017 live video stats are quite fascinating. It is also reported that more than 85% mobile and online users watched live video in 2017.

#2. Live Video Streaming was watched on multiple screens

Live video was watched in 2017 on various devices. According to a Think with Google report, more than 85% of adults between 18 years and 49 years use multiple screens to watch video at the same time. The tendency of watching live streaming on many screens gained increased traction in 2017.

#3. More Broadcasters Adopted OTT Video

What’s OTT? It’s an abbreviation for Over The Top. This is a sizzling trend in video broadcasting which implies that media houses are making their films, footages, shows, and other video content available online “over the top” of traditional broadcasting channels. Take Bloomberg, for instance; it broadcasts live TV on its site and social media. Another good example is HBO Go.

#4. Virtual Reality is driving viewership

Virtual reality and augmented technologies have found widespread use in gaming and recently video streaming. In 2017, virtual reality or VR streaming took center-stage when it came to social live video.

#5. HTML5 Video Engulfed Flash

Many techies have always complained about battery and processor guzzling tendencies of Flash video. That is why it comes as no surprise that there was massive use of HTML 5 for live video in 2017. Security vulnerabilities and lack of native apps for IOS and Android have pushed Flash to the sidelines.

#6. Increased Use of Next-Generation formats such as H.265

Next-gen video formats like H.265 became mainstream features in live video in 2017. AV1 video compression format also gained significant traction for its robust in-browser performance and royalty-free technology.

#7. Emergence of HDR, HQ, and 4K

Blurry and pixelated videos became a thing of the past in 2017 as 4K, HQ, and HDR became a mainstay feature in most social live video platforms. In fact, the way forward will be high-resolution video streaming technologies that stream without any hitch or glitch.
2017 has been a big year for live video streaming. We hope to see the best of these trends in the next 12 months or so.